Dallas Cowboys Blog

Intriguing possibilities exist for Cowboys’ Jay Ratliff in new scheme

In the short time defensive line coach Brian Baker has been at Valley Ranch, he has learned that Rob Ryan is willing to try just about anything to achieve the goal of disrupting the opposing quarterback. With his mop of long, gray hair, Ryan has the appearance of an eccentric and his approach to coordinating a defense is far from conventional.

“We may have 16 different looks in 16 different games,” Baker said. “If that’s what it takes for us to win up front and win as a defense, that’s what he’s willing to do. We’re not looking for ways to be hiding guys. We’re going to be looking ways to really expose guys from the standpoint of giving them an opportunity to be explosive.”

In other words, expect the unexpected with play calls, formations and personnel use.

But could Baker envision a scenario in which nose tackles Josh Brent and Jay Ratliff are on the field at the same time?

“I hadn’t really thought about it,” Baker said, “but that could certainly happen. You’re talking about a guy who has played with four defensive ends on the field at the same time. In this league, you’ve got to be ready to do everything.”

Earlier this week,The Dallas Morning Newsexamined the nose tackle position. Based on the fact that Ratliff is a uniquely versatile player, he could stand to benefit the most from the new scheme concocted by Ryan.

It seems likely that Ryan could use Ratliff to create mismatches by allowing him to attack the quarterback from different positions along the line. If Ratliff is being double-teamed, like he was throughout the 2010 season when he only made 3.5 sacks, Baker said it’s possible that the Cowboys could throw another lineman out on the field or Ratliff could be placed opposite a guard. The idea, Baker said, would be “to take that target off his chest.”

“Rob has a great [defensive] package,” Baker said. “Really, we can do everything under the sun.”